What Are Safety Tips for Driving in the Rain?

Car-flooding

Rainy weather makes driving more dangerous. Wet roads affect traction, while the rain and water spray coming off of the tires on other vehicles can reduce visibility. Delaware sees its share of rain and severe storms that can make driving very hazardous. Following safety tips could help you better handle rainy weather and prevent a car accident.

Check Your Tires, Brakes, and Lights

You should check the air pressure and tread condition on each tire before driving in rainy weather. A properly inflated tire will produce the best contact patch with the road surface and expel water. If you have damaged or worn tread, even the correct tire pressure might not be enough to help you maintain traction on wet roads.

You should also ensure the brakes are in good condition and your lights work so that you can see better and so that other drivers can see you.

Inspect Wiper Blades and Fluid

Good wiper blades help you see clearly when driving in the rain and on wet roads. The windshield wipers need to clear away the raindrops. They also need to clear away road grime from your windshield. If your wiper blades do not clear the water and road grime from your windshield, your vision greatly decreases. You might be blinded by the glare from the headlights on oncoming vehicles at night.

Wiper blades are inexpensive and easy to obtain and install. You should also top off the wiper fluid to help keep the windshield clean and clear.

Slow Down and Increase Following Distance

Wet roads make it easier to lose traction and control of your vehicle. You need to slow down and adjust your driving to match the current road conditions.

You also need to increase your following distance so that you do not rear-end another vehicle. Following four car lengths will give you more stopping distance and help you react accordingly to avoid an accident.

Watch for Ice on Overpasses and Bridges

The weather in Delaware can be very cool and rainy in the late fall. Whenever the air temperature is close to freezing, there is a greater potential for ice accumulation.

Because bridges and overpasses are elevated and have no earth to insulate them from cold air and winds, ice usually forms on them first. You should be cautious of icy conditions on overpasses and bridges, and slow down before passing over them.

Beware of Puddles and Flowing Water

Water on the road can conceal many dangers. A puddle might seem harmless, but it could cover a large pothole or debris. You should either slow down or try to go around puddles when you encounter them.

If the rain is causing localized flooding, you should not drive through flooded areas. Even driving very slowly through a flooded section of the road could result in your vehicle being swept away by flowing water.

Wilmington Car Accident Lawyers at Rhoades & Morrow Help Accident Survivors Who Have Been Injured in Weather-Related Crashes

If you need help after a wreck that was caused by bad weather conditions, speak with one of our experienced Wilmington car accident lawyers at Rhoades & Morrow. Call us at (302) 427-9500 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation. We have offices conveniently located in Wilmington, Bear, Milford, and Lewes, Delaware. With offices in all three counties of Delaware, we serve clients throughout the state.

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